Alice Frye has an MPH from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Emory University. She is a developmental psychopathologist by training and her overarching goal is to combine in her research endeavors the population level orientation typical of public health with the robust theoretical approach that characterizes developmental psychopathology. She has a long standing interest in the study and remediation of psychopathology among adolescents and emerging adults at risk, and focuses particularly on growth and change in psychopathology and resilience among emerging adults. With respect to specific projects, Dr. Frye worked with Dr. Sumru Erkut in the evaluation of Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts' sexuality education program for middle school students: Get Real. She worked with Dr. Lorraine Cordeiro on a qualitative needs assessment of Cambodian youth and emerging adults in Lowell, Massachusetts, and also to study the unique roles that Cambodian women play in navigating the immigration transition for themselves and their families in Lowell. She also worked with Dr. Nancy Marshall on secondary data analyses of national data on early childhood care influences and outcomes. Dr. Frye speaks Indonesian and studied Mandarin Chinese.
Dr. Frye was a methodologist at the centers and worked with Dr. Allison Tracy on funded projects and provided ad hoc support for study design and statistical analysis to other researchers at the centers. She focused chiefly on quantitative methods, including structural equation approaches, latent growth modeling, mixture modeling, multilevel modeling, and other types of advanced analyses.
Senior Scholar until 2020
Senior Scholar
Kristen Handricken served as Director of Open Circle program through early February 2009. Please contact Nancy MacKay or Nova Biro for information about the program: 781-283-2847.
Kristen L. Handricken has worked in the education, public health, and human service fields for the past 18 years in a variety of roles that span direct service provision, program coordination, administration, training, and consultation. She has founded and developed youth and family serving programs and initiatives in Quincy, Weymouth, Brockton, and Cambridge. As Co-Director of the Middle Grades Prevention Program for the Cambridge Public Schools, Kristen coordinated the district-wide integration and evaluation of social and emotional learning services for middle school students in Cambridge. A graduate of Bridgewater State College and Harvard University, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Specialized Master of Education in the development of socio-educational partnerships for equity and inclusion. Prior to joining the Wellesley Centers for Women, Kristen worked as a consultant, trainer, and facilitator dedicating herself to enhancing the power of organizations to better meet the needs of adults and children of all racial heritages, gender identities, and economic backgrounds. As a former Commissioner on the Board for the Status of Women in Cambridge she advocated for the protection of human and civil rights of women, children, and families in the city for almost a decade.
B.A., Elmira College
nmackay@wellesley[dot]edu \ LinkedIn
Link to CV
Leads programming at Open Circle, which equips elementary schools with evidence-based curriculum and training to improve school climate and teach children essential social and emotional skills
Nancy MacKay initially joined Open Circle in 1996 and as a trainer and a coach. She later became training director and served as Open Circle co-director from 2009 to 2017. She has since transitioned to the role of senior program manager. MacKay has been involved in education, training and development for over 30 years as a teacher, trainer and consultant. Along with her Open Circle experience and expertise as an elementary educator, MacKay has designed and implemented courses, workshops and seminars for businesses and nonprofit organizations focusing on the development leadership skills.
MacKay, N., May 2016. SEL Asset and Needs Assessment. SEL Alliance for Massachusetts Regional Conference. Bridgewater, MA.
MacKay, N. September 21-22, 2015. Exploring the Intersections of Social and Emotional Learning and Mindful Awareness/Contemplative Practice. One of 24 invited members to a convening of leaders in their respective field to explore teaching strategies and instructional approaches used in the educational fields of social and emotional learning and mindful awareness or contemplative practice. The 1440 Foundation and The Collaborative for Academic and Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), Chicago, IL.
Porche, M & MacKay, N. April, 2015. Collaboration to Enhance Whole School Social and Emotional Learning for Elementary Students. Roundtable paper presentation, American Education and Research Association (AERA) annual conference, Chicago, IL.
MacKay, N.M. & Biro, N.B. March 8, 2011. Open Circle’s Best Practices for Social and Emotional Learning. Presentation to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
MacKay, N.M. & Dunning, S. April 30, 2009. What’s Emotion Got to Do With It?: Linking Social & Emotional Development with Academic Success. Conference presentation, Massachusetts School Counselors Association (MASCA).
Partners shares the value of social and emotional learning with Open Circle. Bay State Banner. October 11, 2013.
Boston schools open doors to Open Circle. Boston.com. December 2, 2013.
Recent funding secured for Open Circle includes grants from NoVo Foundation, Templeton Foundation (in partnership with Greater Good Science Center), Partners HealthCare (in partnership with Boston Public Health Commision) and program fees from over 200 schools.
Porche, M., Grossman, J., Costello, D., Biro, N., MacKay, N., Rivers, S. April 2015. Collaboration to Enhance Whole School Social and Emotional Learning for Elementary Students. American Educational Research Association 2015 Annual Meeting.
Porche, M., Grossman, J., Biro, N., MacKay, N., & Rivers, S. September 4, 2014. Collaboration to Achieve Whole School SEL Across a Large, Urban District. Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness Fall 2014 Conference.
Co-authored several Open Circle publications, including the Open Circle Curriculum Grades K-5, Open Circle training manuals and assessment tools, Open Circle quarterly e-newsletters, and several white papers: Helping Children Deal with Traumatic Events, Open Circle and DESSA Alignment, Open and PBIS, Reinforcing SEL Schoolwide, SEL Best Practices.
Member, SEL Alliance for Massachusetts, 2013 to present.
Alumni, LeadBoston, Class of 1993.
Participant, The National SEED Project hosted at the Wellesley Centers for Women, 2015 to present.
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